Satellites, power grids, space stations 'at risk' as solar storm surrounds Earth

• Suparco says geomagnetic storms are on Earth's path.
• Satellites, power grids and space stations are at risk.
• Solar storms can cause affect radio, cellular phones.

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Commission (Suparco) Saturday said the planet Earth has been surrounded by a solar storm. 

According to Wonderopolis, when the Sun emits huge bursts of energy in the form of solar flares and coronal mass ejections, it causes solar storms. 

A stream of electrical charges and magnetic fields is sent towards the Earth at a speed of about three million miles per hour. 

The national space agency said the geomagnetic storms are on Earth's path due to material and energy emitted from the Sun, while the satellites, power grids and space stations are at risk.

According to Suparco spokesperson, three Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) are currently on their way to Earth. The first two M-class solar flares were launched on August 7.

Initial CMEs were relatively minor but the third X1.3-class solar flare is much more powerful than these, said the spokesperson, adding that more M-class flares have been released from the surface of the Sun.

The effects of plasma and magnetic waves from the Sun’s surface are expected to reach Earth over the next three to four days.

As the sun reaches the peak of its activity, earth also faces risks related to storms as they cause radio blackouts, disable satellites, cellular phone and GPS networks.